Army: Reds top rights violator in Negros

BACOLOD CITY – The military yesterday tagged the New People’s Army (NPA) as the number one violator of human rights on Negros Island, citing at least 40 atrocities that the group reportedly committed this year.

Col. Benedict Arevalo, chief of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IB) based in Negros, slammed human rights organizations that refused to speak against NPA atrocities despite admission by the communist group.

Arevalo said the military recorded 26 murder, three attempted murder and five arson cases reportedly committed by the NPA insurgents in Negros in the past 11 months.

He said the insurgents owned up to committing several atrocities including the burning of road equipment in central and southern part of the island.

In observance of Human Rights Day on Monday, Arevalo condemned the left-leaning rights groups and their affiliated organizations for allegedly lying to discredit the government and manipulate the minds of the people.

“Not all who shout human rights are genuine advocates,” Arevalo said, adding that several, if not many of them, are bogus who secretly support the communist movement.

Arevalo urged the people of Negros to condemn the NPA atrocities and the fake rights groups whom he said are fooling the people.